Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-08-17
A JAPANESE LOVE STORY

the low matched cottage IN which the Sis
tiers q -Suha and Niya lived with a widowed
aunt Their father had fallen in battle,
and his wife soon followed him to the
grave committing her children Ia the care
of their only remaining relative. O-Suha.
the elder, was II brunette, with sparkling
black eyes and white teeth that shone be-
tween frll, ruddy lips. She was taller
than Niya. who was fair and slight, with
mild blue eyes and Il soft voice.
For over "A year O-Suba had been be-
trothed to kampci. the son of a ncighbor-
ing farmer. Their parents had arranged
the matter Though il was not made
formal 10y an exchange of presents, the
young people regarded il rs settled; and
the marriage was deferred only until
kampei returned from a campaign against
rebel prince. in which he was to follow
his lord his father being too old To take
the field.
When the young man called on the sis
tiers in order to say aaieu, he was mOrti-
fed 10y OSuha's manner. which seemed
to show that she regarded his absence as
a rcpricye; and his face betrayed his feel
inGS.
DO not look thus, good Kampei, before
yOur commander" she said laughingly.
He will think you coward. Go and
win booty and come back covered with
glory Who would not he soldier rather
than n mean farmcrs' she cried with ami
nation. ~ warrior is a gentleman, has
his pocket full of bright silver and is
esteemed by his lord Go. Kampei; shall
dc>pise you if you hesitaten'
kampei was stuug Ivy her tones and rose
hastily. \ deep sigh reached him. and on
turning around he saw Niya sitting in a
corner of the room, her face buried i'll the
loose sleeves of her robe.
Farewell, Niya,' he said.
\ sob rose in the girls throat as she re-
piled Farewell. kampei. And remem-
bcr" she faltered, that if anything &C
ours to you, I've shall be broken
hearted"
"Ycu will not forget me, O-Suba? 1t
will cheer me IL know that"
~ shall not forget you" she said i'm
patiently: and the young man left. catch
inc a glance rs he closed the garden gate
of O-Suha waving a gay adieu, and of
Niya with her face hidden in her hands.
One day. few months after Kan
pei's departure, his mother called AT the
cottage. and after relating a pitiful tale of
bad harveStS. poverty and debt. said that
her husband who WAS in feeble health,
would he sent to prison if she could not
obtain eighty riyus, and she begged O.
Suha, n her sons bctrothcd. To at least
lend that sum 10 her. O-SGba treated the
poor woman harshly. refused the money
and reminded her visitor that as presents
are not yet exchanged their marriage must
not be regarded as certain.
Niya in vain urged her aunt TO apply a
portion of her little fortune To the farmers 5
relief Her relatives Were obdurate, and
the old woman was going away sadly,
when the younger girl sprang up, thrust
her feet into her sandals and hurried after
the visitor, overtaking her before she
reached the gate.
When must you have the money"
she asked.
Within three days, Niya."
'.You shall have it" said the girl; and
escaping from the thanks and blessings of
the old woman. she returned TO the house.
She threw herself on the mat in corner,
claspcd her hands and puCkered her brow
thoughtfully.
Suddenly she uttered a joyous cry.
The screens were drawn back, leaving the
whole front of the house open; and Niya
saw pair of swallows fly into the room
and perch on the space between the wall
and the ceiling. chirping and chattering
together busily.
see. sister, the pretty birds are going
TO build; good fortune will be ours.
Sh-h-h, Dear O-Suba, do not disturb
them and She laid her hand imploringly
on her sisters arm as O-Suba laughed at
her enthusiasm.
Niya sat there eagerly watching the
movements of the birds and their many
fiights to and fro while building their nest.
Her relatives went out soon after and
Niya, after long look AT the still busy
swallows. dressed herself and went out,
too. When O-Suha and her aunt re-
turned Niya WAS not at home and ii was
long before they saw her face.
When the army to which kampei be-
lon-cd was disbanded his comrades gave
themselves up Ia reyelry, while he, eager
to sec O-Suba and anxious 10 see about
his parents, of whose troubles he had
heard. hastencd homeward.
He was within short days journey of
his native village when toward sunset he
reached "A tea house bearing on one of the
posts the sign ''Chaya Of the Nerdant
Cherry Blossom" The screens forming
the front were thrown back, showing the
whole inside of the house, divided into
apartments by movable partitions; and in
one Of the rooms a number of gentlemen
retainers" sat drinking, their songs reach
ing the passers by mingled with the noise
of their quarrels.
As kampci cast away outside the We
randa his dusty sandals some of the fe-
arfa rars a meet him wifi h
cries Of welcome.
Good afternoon, sir, Be good enough
to walk inside and rest, sir. The sun is
hot. the roads are parcbed and you must
be weary We have liquor of Tensuii
and Satsuma tobacco and fragrant tea. -"
With many bows they led him into an
unoccupied room, and when food and
drink were placed before him he was left
alone He was soon waited on by another
girl, who came TO inquire if he wanted
anything more, and kampei was astound-
ed to recognize in the new conner Niya-
but not the Niya in quiet attire, with
downcast looks. whom he left behind at
Morioka. She had gay clothes; her hair
was adorned with larg, gold headed pins
and her face powdered.
Niva drew back in confusion on seeing
hamper lEtll. Gbl.tSIiII- iitl lSeii, oHt >id
vanceh, and, pretending not 10 recognize
him. said: A gcntlemaa Of the army OF
chastiscIaent is welcome TO the chaya.
We are thankful that lie deigns to honor
our humble house 10y stopping here.
Hampers face was grave as he asked:
GLOW is this. Niyas Has misfortune over
taken Your family that OSuha and youi
aunt have permitted you TO become I
meuial in a ten houSes'
Tn, girl hung her head but did not
answer Had he been merely scornful at
her loss OF caste she cou..l he defiant; but
he MAS evidently sorry for her.
Way have you done this. Niva,' the
yOHmg mhn continued rcprOachfuliy.
''lou were not in poverty; YOU were hap
py; why, then, did you leave home for
such an occupation aS this.'
Niya looked at the mats silently Her
lip quiyercd, the blush that mounted from
her threat To her forehead faded away,
pursued by a deadly palcness, and her
limbs trcmhled 50 much that she dropped
on the ground and hid her face in her